GodTalk: There is a judge and He is not me

Some of you may remember years ago the popular TV series "Lost In Space." The Robinsons along with two passengers and a friendly robot traveled through the galaxy in their search for home while they faced new threats each week. When the robot sensed some dark, mysterious force approaching, he would shout out, "Danger! Danger! Danger!"

Ironically, there is today a mysterious force enveloping our land and neutering the moral fiber of a nation founded upon the Judeo-Christian ethic.

This prevailing force loves to quote, Ad nauseam, the verse, "Judge not lest you be judged" to silence any calls against what for centuries was considered immoral behavior. Case in point, note the number of "famous" people both religious and irreligious who used the verse in response to the comments of Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame regarding sexual morality. One went so far as to state, "Jesus seems to have been notably silent on the issue and, in issues related to illicit sex, the gospels show him suspending judgment to a degree vastly unusual. Even the woman at the well with all those husbands." This quote conveniently left out Jesus' words to the woman, "go and sin no more."

This is the same Jesus who clearly spoke of the need to discern truth from error when speaking of false prophets saying, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them," Matthew 7:15-20.

The Jesus of the Bible has often been viewed as a sweet, sentimental DE-masculinized being, rather than the one who spoke of Herod as "a fox" and of the Pharisees as "white-washed sepulchers," and who rebuked His own follower, Peter, with the words, "Get behind m, Satan," which then makes Jesus out to be "judgmental." It is Jesus who said of Himself that He was destined to bring a sword of separation into personal relationships. That is, He claims to Himself ultimate allegiance. He moves the money changers forcibly from His Father's house, and He promises to return in judgment.

Our nation has always had within her false prophets but never have there been so many within the established church where "Christian funerals" are held and the hope of forgiveness in Christ is left out, where sin is no longer sin and Grace is no longer needed. Even the Pope has stated, "Even an atheist, if he or she does good, has no need for Christ."

It is time to put to rest the modern concept of the misjudged verse, "Judge not lest you be judged." Too often we have heard sincere but misinformed Christians and unbelievers alike say, "I don't want to judge anybody, but..." Ironically, the one who screams "judge not" is often the one passing judgment on you! This verse is not a warning against judging an action. It is a warning against self-deception and hypocrisy in one's judgment as we see in its context.

Simply put, the word "judge" from the original Greek root "krino" could be translated as conclude or condemn, damn or determine. We have no authority to "damn or condemn" anyone; that is God's call. But in the context of Luke 12:57 "Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?" we are definitely encouraged to judge in the sense of discernment.

Frankly, it goes against the clear teaching of Scripture to declare that we should not judge. But when judgment is made it must be based on God's Word and not on personal opinion. Jesus made this clear when He stated, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment," John 7:24.

Of course, in the midst of such judgment we are to be aware that we all fall short of God's glory and that having an attitude of damning is forbidden, for there is only One who has the authority to condemn. Ultimately, He is the One who would have all men to be saved, giving His Only Begotten Son that whoever trusts in Him will not be condemned. In essence, the Cross is that place of judgment where we can meet a just and holy God in peace.

Until the day we meet our God, "not judging" false teachers or, in fact, making excuses for them, or listening to them or not warning others against them, puts us in "Danger! Danger! Danger!"

In July 1982 the Rev. Dallas Dubke became Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church Red Bluff and Mt. Olive Lutheran Church Corning where he has served for the past 30 years. A Michigan native, his interests include wrestling, Judo, chess, mountain climbing, and biking. He is married with four children.